Page 47 of My Rival for Christmas

I don’t know if I can. I don’t think I’m wired that way. But I nod regardless.

Mother Nature isn’t really giving me a choice.

CHAPTER NINE

nate

I’ve never been moregrateful for a snow day. Even if present company doesn’t share in the same enthusiasm. That’s okay, though. She’s learning, and for her first time actually doing nothing in god knows how long, I’d give Paige Montgomery a C- in the day.

A grade that is sure to ruffle her very cute feathers, but I see it as a good benchmark she can absolutely improve upon.

But today wasn’t a bad start since I was able to coax Paige into watching an entire movie franchise with me without a single complaint. A feat much easier to do when I make sure to avoid all the best Christmas classics and instead pick one of her favorite comfort series. It felt almost sacrilegious to not watchHome AloneorDie HardorNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationon a snow day. But I don’t know. There’s something about theTwilight Sagathat just screams the holidays for me now.

It could be the blue tint of the first movie, or the frigid temperatures of their bodies, but I’ve never felt more ready to celebrate Christmas than I do after finishing all five movies. Alsohas me thinking about getting my abs bedazzled so I, too, can sparkle in the sun.

Maybe Paige would like me better if I did.

Because she sure isn’t liking me now.

“No.” Paige crosses her arms, glaring at me. “Absolutely not. No. There is no way this is happening. No.”

“Scared, Princess?” I fight back a smile as I lean against the doorway. The fledgling truce between us only lasted for the duration of those five movies. Until she gave a big yawn, asking me where she’s sleeping tonight.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She starts to stomp around the bedroom. Her sock-clad feet don’t really help her look intimidating or fearsome. Just adorable. “This is probably amusing you endlessly.”

“I will admit, I’m a little entertained.” By her more than anything. I love watching her composure slip. It’s why I love getting under her skin so much. A frustrated Paige will always be better than an edited Paige, where she’s holding herself back.

She bares her teeth at me. I have to swallow back a laugh. “You know, this is just like you.”

Now my brows go up. “How so?”

“You don’t ever listen to me or take anything in life seriously. And look at where that got us,” she rants, gesturing to the bedroom and the cabin beyond. “I bet you don’t even think this is a big deal!”

“I never said that.” My arms cross over my chest.

“But you’re thinking it!”

I don’t say anything.

“I knew it!” She points at me with a stern, unhappy finger. “I knew you weren’t taking this seriously. You probably orchestrated this entire thing!”

She continues to stomp around the room, and somehow she makes even her frantic steps look graceful. My arms stay crossedacross my chest, but my muscles strain to keep them in place. The urge to grab her and haul her to my chest is strong.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” She stops mid-stomp.

“You think I can control the weather?” My grin stretches. All of her irritation is now directed at the sight.

“What?”

“You said I must’ve orchestrated this entire thing. Meaning the snowstorm keeping us here. Which means you think I’m powerful enough to control the weather.”

Paige starts shaking her head. “That’s not?—”

“I’m beyond flattered, Princess, but I don’t know how I can keep handling these compliments. You’re going to make me blush.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I smirk. “You’ve clearly spent a lot of time thinking of my capabilities.” Dropping my arms from my chest, I push off the wall. “What else do you think I can do? Or better yet, when do you think you spend the most amount of time thinking about me? Is it late at night? I promise whatever your hyperactive imagination has conjured up, the real thing is ten times better.”

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